PISCATAWAY, N.J.; January 21, 2006 ¨C The Penn State men¡¯s swimming and diving team took home an impressive win over Rutgers, 136-107. The Lion women also had a strong day but were edged by Rutgers, 129-112.

The women had an impressive showing in the relay events, capturing a first place finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay. Juniors Jessica Barnes (Glenmoore, Pa.), Rachel Ahrenhold (Blue Bell, Pa.) and Nikki Collins (Carmel, Ind.) and sophomore Jill Heck (Kennett Square, Pa.) won the relay in 3:31.97, earning them an NCAA ¡°A¡± qualifying time.

Collins also captured first place finishes in the 500- and 1,000-yard freestyle events with times of 4:54.79 and 10:01.24, respectively.

Freshman Kaitlin O¡¯Brien (Caldwell, N.J.) won the 200 IM with a time of 2:03.33.

The men began a strong day with Sophomore Sean Swanepoel (KZN, South Africa) winning the 100-yard freestyle in 45.59. Senior Shawn McLin (Sinking Spring, Pa.) took home a first place finish in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:41.63. Sophomore Sean Biedermann (Colorado Springs, Colo.) won the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 4:34.10. Freshman David Kraft (Vienna, Va.) garnered a first place finish in the 1,000-yard freestyle with a time of 9:22.41.

Both of the men¡¯s 400 freestyle and 400 medley relay teams captured first place finishes and NCAA qualifying times.

Swanepoel, Junior Daniel Kaiserian (Radnor, Pa.), McLin and freshman Jason Goldner (Allentown, Pa.) won the 400-yard freestyle relay with an NCAA ¡°A¡± qualifying time of 3:05.19. The 400-yard medley relay team composed of freshman Pat Schirk (Pottstown, Pa.), sophomore Kyle Miranda (Louisville, Colo.), Biedermann and freshman Spencer Maglich (Sarasota, Fla.) took home a first place finish with an NCAA ¡°B¡± qualifying time of 3:23.12.

Senior Adam Pierce (Conroe, Texas) won both the 1- and 3-meter diving events with scores of 327.97 and 352.80, respectively. Pierce has garnered Big Ten Diver of the Week accolades fives times this season. Freshman Courtney Adlam (Ambler, Pa.) won the 3-meter diving event with a final score of 279.23.

The Penn State men¡¯s swimming and diving team travels to Notre Dame, Ind. to take on the Fighting Irish, Louisville, Oakland and the University of Missouri for a two-day meet beginning Friday, Jan. 27 at 5 p.m. in Rolfs Aquatic Center.

The meet continues on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. The women¡¯s swimming and diving team travels to Gambier, Ohio for a meet with Kenyon on Thursday, Jan. 26 and is set to start at 3 p.m. The women then travel to Columbus, Ohio for a two-day meet with Ohio State and Indiana, beginning Friday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m.